Future 47 Recordings 1989-1992
Officially unreleased
Eric Johnson - all instruments and vocals
songs – A Goldfish Has No Place To Hide, Flies Eyes, The Lights, Brain Drain, Starfield, Deep As The Ocean, Bones of Magdalena, Infinite Repeat 2, Ant Farm, Far Out Mystery, Song for the Guilty, Ghosts Haunt The Cities, The Martian’s Aren’t Listening, Death From Above (live), Arteries and Veins
Future 47 was the name attributed to the solo four-track recordings of Eric Johnson from 1989 to 1992. This compilation represents the best of these recordings. The second of three four track recording periods, Future 47’s time was both innovated and prolific. Recording seven full-length cassette projects in just over two years, Future 47 continued to develop the direction of earlier four track recordings, though often exploring new musical avenues. These new directions included experiments with piano, found sound, chamber music-like arrangements, and ambient elements. These experiments continued to push the music further away from rock and roll while still, in many ways, celebrating the garage band tradition. Songs like “Brain Drain,” “Far-out Mystery,” and “Martians Aren’t Listening,” and “Ant Farm” are firmly planted in the indie/grunge rock of the late 80s/early 90s – but not quite. Piano works, inspired by Ron Geesin and Birdsongs for the Mesazoic, continued to develop, from works like the stormy live cut “Death From Above” to the lush, orchestrated “The Lights.” Experiments with drones, e-bow textures and found sound are some other elements that dominate this material, demonstated in tracks like “Ghosts Haunt the Cities” and “Song for the Guilty.” Others like, “A Goldfish Has No Place To Hide” and “Arteries and Veins” use recorded found sound as part of their construction. In contrast, two acoustic guitar pieces, “Star Field” and “Bones of Magdalena” help to soothe the cacophony of the other tracks. However, it is the forward-thinking instrumentals that define this collection. “Infinite Repeat II,” “Deep as the Ocean,” the keyboard driven “Flies Eyes,” are evidence the compositions have changed direction toward a progressive/post rock/new age hybrid. All songs have been remixed, mastered and updated by Eric Johnson in 2008.
The six Future 47 cassette projects were all originally recorded between 1989-1992 in various locations. Future 47’s debut, Infinite Repeat (1990) was recorded at Beloit College, Beloit Wisconsin. A previously unused version of the title track appear from this project. Eyes Glow Like Starshine (1990), Background Radiation (1990) and Hair Helmet and the Garden Weasel (1991) were recorded in Geneva Illinois. “Reflecting,” “Brain Drain,” “Far Out Mystery” “Flies Eyes” and “Ant Farm” are included from these collections. The haunted A Goldfish Has No Place To Hide (1991), recorded in Chicago, offers its manic title track, “Ghosts Haunt the Cities” and “Arteries and Veins” to this compilation. The Future 47 period came to a close with the dark, folk/psych-rock offerings of Space Noir (1992). Recorded in both Milwaukee and Madison Wisconsin, Space Noir is represented by “Starfield,” “The Martians Aren’t Listening,” “Song for the Guilty,” “Deep As The Ocean,” and “Bones of Magdalena.” In addition, a live version of “Death From Above” recorded during a concert at Beloit College in Wisconsin from the fall 1990, round out this compilation of recordings.
Future 47: Recordings 1989 – 1992 was remixed by Eric Johnson at SlowBurn Studio, Tucson Arizona, 2007. All songs were written by Eric Johnson and are published by Slow Burn Crow Music, BMI. All instruments and vocals by Eric Johnson. Mastered by Tim O’Sullivan at The University of Arizona School of Music, Tucson Arizona, 2007. Photography by Kelly Norris and Eric Johnson. Future 47 would like to thank: Tim O’Sullivan, Johnny Oboe, Bryan Kohl, Jonathan Levitt, Kelly Norris, Young Arnold, Ben Johnston, Bill Enich, Scott Felton, Doug McLaughlin, Jeff Pedderson and Jason Peer.
